A new era begins in earnest on Saturday as John Rankin’s Diamonds face Dundee in the Premier Sports Cup – and defender Sam Fisher wants a winning start against his old side.

Just as they did last season, Airdrie will travel to Dens Park to get the competitive season underway, but the squad will bear little resemblance to the one which shocked the Premiership side a year ago.

Following the Diamonds’ relegation from the Championship a huge summer overhaul took place, with head coach John Rankin taking the reins and defender Fisher one of seven new faces in the door.

The former Dundee and Dunfermline stopper wore the captain’s armband in this week’s final pre-season friendly against Falkirk. Speaking after the match, Fisher said that he and his new team-mates are ready to get stuck in.

“We’re as prepared as we can be. We’ve had a good few pre-season games now, and I think the boys have carried it out well.

“Obviously the level’s gone up and up as we’ve went, and tonight was a really good performance against Falkirk. It puts us in good stead ahead of Saturday.”

Fisher spent four years at Dundee before making the permanent switch to Dunfermline, and while Saturday will see his first return to Dens Park since leaving the club in 2023, the same can’t be said for the longer-serving Airdrie players as the squad prepare to take on the Dark Blues for the sixth time in five seasons.

“A lot of the boys have said that, they’ve been up there the last few years, so it was written in the stars to go back up there I think!

“It’s going to be a tough game. They started off last year pretty poorly, so we fully expect they’ll come at the game pretty sharp knowing that we beat them there last time.

“It’s a complete change of team, but it’ll still be there mentally for them. We’ve just got to go and give the best account of ourselves and hopefully get a result.”

Recently departed forward Chris Mochrie grabbed the only goal of the game last season as Airdrie inflicted defeat on Dee boss Steven Pressley in his first competitive fixture, but the Tayside men picked up their form as the season went on, finishing the campaign strongly.

Fisher knows the quality they possess, and is under no illusions when it comes to the two-division gap between the sides.

“They’ve got a very good manager behind them, and a lot of good players. I still know a lot of the boys from when I was there, and they’re all top players.

“I’m sure they’ll do fine again this year, but hopefully we’ll catch them on a day where they’re not at the races!”

Having guided his new charges through pre-season, head coach John Rankin is champing at the bit with the competitive action on the horizon.

“I cannae wait! Really I think when you look at the players, when they go through pre-season they’re always desperate for the season to start.

“It’s a tough game, Steven Pressley got Dundee playing well last season.

“I think he surprised everybody with the football in the second half of the season, so it’s going to be a tough day up in Dundee, but as I say it’s one we can’t wait for.”

The Diamonds boss is still without defenders Dylan MacDonald (ankle), Adam Devine (groin), Mason Chisholm (hip) and Craig Ross, who suffered a facial injury in training this week, alongside midfielder Cole McKinnon (ankle).

Referee Duncan Nicolson took charge of three matches involving Airdrie last season; November’s 1-1 draw at Partick Thistle, the 4-0 Scottish Cup win over Hamilton Academical the same month, and January’s home defeat to Ross County.

Match tickets are available using the link below, and supporters are reminded that there will be no cash gate on the day – tickets must be bought online in advance. Airdrie supporters should enter the ground via turnstiles 31 and 32 on Sandeman Street.

Refreshment kiosks at Dens Park operate on a card-only basis.

Supporters travelling by car are reminded of the residents-only parking restrictions around Dundee – parking in the no-parking zone surrounding Dens Park will result in a fine.

For those who can’t make the trip to Dens, our DiamondsTV video (subscribers outwith the UK and Ireland) and audio (pay-per-match worldwide) streams are available.